The WWE Draft is always an effective way to freshen up the brands, create new stars and have dream matches!
With SmackDown Live moving to FOX on October 4th, it is time to erase the Wildcard Rule and make the brands feel unique – with different sets, stylish logos and a renewed viewing experience. Raw for the “sports entertainment”! SmackDown Live for the real-sports feel! NXT for the golden wrestling!
According to Triple H, NXT will not be included in this Draft, scheduled for the October 11th and 14th editions of SmackDown Live and Raw, respectively. For that reason, none of the stars of the developmental brand will be featured on this list.
Likewise, this list also excludes Rusev and Brock Lesnar – each of whom made their returns this past week on the opposing brand that they originally left, thereby signalling that they had already transferred.
But everyone else is fair game. So, let’s have a look at the ten switches that need to happen.
1. Becky Lynch – SmackDown Live
Back in 2016, SmackDown Live gave Becky Lynch incredible opportunities – she even became the brand’s inaugural Women’s Champion.
She is, however, currently the Raw Women’s Champion and will be facing Sasha Banks in a rematch, inside Hell in a Cell.
Due to a leaked photoshoot, it is speculated that Becky Lynch will be shifting to the blue brand upon its move to FOX. If this is true, then expect Sasha Banks to walk out of Hell in a Cell with the Raw Women’s Title.
Lynch has the credibility to be on top of the SmackDown Women’s division, seeing as she is the cover star of WWE 2k20 and one of the biggest names in the business.
With reports suggesting that FOX is keen to bring more of a “sports feel” to the show, ‘The Man’ has precisely that aura about her with much more. She is a tremendous wrestler, decent on the mic and is still a certified badass! She would be a great addition to SmackDown Live.
2. Chad Gable – Raw
Similar to switches showcasing new talent, as with Jinder Mahal a few years ago, Chad Gable going to Raw could jumpstart his rise up the card!
Possessing amazing athletic ability, captivating charisma and tangible energy, Chad should be able to finally find his feet on the red brand.
He may be known as ‘Shorty G’ by that time, but if anyone could get that name over, it’s Chad Gable! As an added benefit, the move would allow Gable to continue his feud with King of the Ring winner, Baron Corbin.
3. The Revival – SmackDown Live
This one might seem self-explanatory, but WWE is yet to explain what happens when Raw stars win SmackDown belts…
Do they automatically get transferred to the other brand? Do they remain on their original brand and just hold the titles? What are the rules?!
If The Revival are still considered Raw guys at this point, then they are prime candidates to be switched during the upcoming draft.
Plus, The Revival and Randy Orton feel like an epic unit at the moment, and remaining a trio is a must!
4. Carmella – Raw
WWE’s women’s division feels somewhat shaky aside from the ‘Four Horsewomen’, and moving Becky Lynch across to SmackDown would place three-quarters of those feuding stars on the blue brand…
But now that Carmella has inserted herself in that storyline, she can easily be transferred across to Raw, to spark a feud with Sasha Banks.
5. Sami Zayn – SmackDown Live
Sami Zayn is Shinsuke Nakamura’s mouthpiece and – logically – needs to be moved to the brand on which the Intercontinental Champion currently features.
But aside from that, Zayn has the talent to be an incredible champion himself and hopefully, SmackDown will give him that opportunity.
Imagine if in a few months, he turns on Nakamura and faces him for the Championship? Those are the kinds of matches FOX’s SmackDown needs to deliver!
6. Aleister Black – Raw
Aleister Black debuted on the main roster alongside Ricochet earlier this year. But following this year’s Superstar Shakeup, Ricochet ended up on Raw, while Black got placed on the SmackDown Live roster.
In the months since then, Black has patiently waited for somebody to knock on his door and pick a fight with him. So far, only two wrestlers have done so – Cesaro and Sami Zayn – and they aren’t even on the same brand.
It doesn’t seem like SmackDown is utilizing Black to his full potential and therefore, the ‘Dutch Destroyer’ seems primed for a switch to Raw.
Once there, you could see him battle former ally, Ricochet, feud with AJ Styles and The O.C., perhaps have a breathtaking encounter with Seth Rollins. Or even clash with The Fiend!
7. Rey Mysterio – SmackDown Live
According to reports, FOX wants Rey Mysterio to attract Hispanic viewers to the product.
Mysterio is the name recognition to draw interest from an old wrestling fanbase, while still having the skills and charisma to hang with the newer generation of talent.
Mysterio would definitely be an exciting grab in the Draft, as matches against Ali, Buddy Murphy, Daniel Bryan and much more give goosebumps just thinking about it.
Or they could just put on Mysterio vs Andrade every single week. I won’t complain.
8. Shane McMahon – Raw
With the segment that occurred on the recent edition of SmackDown Live, we should be worried. It looks like Shane McMahon could lose his Commissioner role on the blue brand.
That would be essential for the sports-based genre FOX is aiming for. However, it might not mean Shane would be off our TV screens entirely.
The “sports entertainment” brand, Monday Night Raw, is an ideal place for Shane to annoy everyone with his presence. Bring his lackey, Elias, across with him and he can continue his power trip on the red brand. While it almost has to happen for the benefit of SmackDown, one wonders whether Shane would really benefit Raw?
With that said, McMahon remains one of the biggest heels in the company. It would be an interesting prospect to pit him against some of the company’s biggest babyfaces, like Seth Rollins for example.
9. Bobby Lashley – SmackDown Live
Expected to return from an elbow injury imminently, we could see Bobby Lashley back in the ring very soon.
Lashley would be best-suited for what FOX is aiming for. ‘The Almighty’ is a former MMA champion and qualifies as a legitimate fighter.
Bringing this asset to SmackDown Live could start that feud with Brock Lesnar we have long been waiting for!
10. Finn Bálor – Raw
Before Finn Bálor faced The Fiend at SummerSlam earlier this year, he had a run-in with The O.C. on the Kickoff Show. In retrospect, this was perhaps teasing Bálor joining the faction upon his return from extended leave.
Bálor’s honeymoon break is reaching its conclusion and he should be returning anytime now.
Therefore, this is the best opportunity to move Bálor back to Raw and, on his first night, have him turn heel by uniting with his old stablemates.
That would be… ‘Too Sweet’!
But who would you like to see switch brands next month? Follow WrestleTalk on Twitter to stay up-to-date with all the latest wrestling news, and join the conversation with the entire community on Discord.
5 years ago by Lewis Burzynski
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